Conscience https://conscience.ca/ Wed, 28 May 2025 14:13:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://conscience.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/cropped-Conscience-32x32.png Conscience https://conscience.ca/ 32 32 224144757 Peng Fu Appointed CEO of Conscience https://conscience.ca/news/peng-fu-appointed-ceo-of-conscience/ Wed, 28 May 2025 14:00:00 +0000 https://conscience.ca/?p=4273 We’re excited to announce that Peng Fu has joined Conscience as our new Chief Executive Officer. He brings deep experience in biotech, finance, and law, and we’re looking forward to seeing how his leadership can help us move closer to our vision: a future where no patient is left behind. For more information, contact:Estrid Jakobsen […]

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We’re excited to announce that Peng Fu has joined Conscience as our new Chief Executive Officer. He brings deep experience in biotech, finance, and law, and we’re looking forward to seeing how his leadership can help us move closer to our vision: a future where no patient is left behind.

For more information, contact:
Estrid Jakobsen at estrid.jakobsen@conscience.ca 
Julia Smith at julia@finchmedia.net 

Conscience Welcomes Peng Fu as New CEO 

Mr. Fu brings extensive financial and biotech experience to role as the nonprofit expands its innovative platform to address unmet needs in drug discovery and development through open science.

Toronto, ON, Canada, May 28, 2025 Conscience, a non-profit that uses open science and true collaboration to enable drug discovery and development where market solutions are limited, is pleased to announce the appointment of Peng Fu as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. Mr. Fu succeeds inaugural CEO, Ryan Merkley, who as previously announced, departed the organization in early 2025. 

Mr. Fu stepping in as Conscience’s new CEO marks a milestone in the organization’s strategic evolution. “We are thrilled to welcome Peng Fu to the leadership team at Conscience during an integral time in our organization,” said Anke Mueller-Fahrnow, Chair of Conscience’s Board of Directors. “Peng’s entrepreneurial mindset, investment expertise, and science and legal background are key to taking Conscience to the next stage. We are confident that he is the right person for this role. We look forward to working with Peng and bringing further awareness to the importance of open science in enabling drug discovery and development, so that we can achieve better health outcomes for all.”

Mr. Fu joins Conscience with an impressive range of biotech, financing and executive experience. He is the founder of Novatio Ventures, an investment and advisory firm that accelerates the commercialization of high-potential life science innovations through incubation of early stage technologies and provision of bespoke financing solutions to growth stage companies. Mr. Fu is also a board member and founding investor of 3io Therapeutics and Precision Proteomics, two Canadian companies developing technologies licensed from Canadian institutions. He previously served as Managing Director and Partner at CBC Group and LYFE Capital, respectively, two leading global healthcare private equity firms. Earlier, Mr. Fu was Vice President, Business Development at DRI Capital (now DRI Healthcare), Director, Senior Counsel and member of the Executive Committee at Amgen Canada, and Director, Legal Affairs at Teva Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Fu began his career as a life science attorney in private practice at Torys and Gilbert’s LLP in Toronto. He holds an MSc degree in biology from the University of Toronto and a JD degree in law from Queen’s University. 

“Conscience views science as a team sport and I am excited to be joining this exceptional team as we work together to use AI and open science to advance drug discovery,” said Peng Fu, CEO of Conscience. “In only a few years, the team has built a solid foundation with an expansive network of partners, and has launched several key initiatives, including the CACHE (Critical Assessment of Computational Hit-Finding Experiments) Challenges and DMOS (Developing Medicines through Open Science) program. I look forward to building on this foundation and expanding our platform in the years ahead.”

About Conscience

Conscience is a non-profit focused on enabling drug discovery and development in areas where open sharing and collaboration are key to advancement and where market solutions are limited, such as rare or neglected diseases, pandemic preparedness, and antimicrobial resistance. It does so by encouraging teamwork, the open sharing of knowledge and tools, the use and improvement of artificial intelligence, and the development of policies that break down barriers of traditional drug development models. Powered by a network that includes academics, industry, technologists, policy experts, and public support, Conscience seeks to drive innovation by turning drug discovery and development into a team sport. Through key initiatives, such as its DMOS (Developing Medicines through Open Science) program and CACHE (Critical Assessment of Computation Hit-finding Experiments) Challenges, Conscience is accelerating the path to treatments for those who need them most so no patient is left behind. For more information, visit www.conscience.ca.

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Canadian SMEs Should Shift Perspectives on Patents to Enable Growth https://conscience.ca/news/canadian-smes-should-shift-perspectives-on-patents-to-enable-growth/ Wed, 07 May 2025 18:23:34 +0000 https://conscience.ca/?p=4229 In a recent op-ed published by Canadian SME Magazine, Conscience’s Chief Policy and Partnerships Officer Richard Gold makes the case for why Canadian science-based SMEs should consider open science not just as a philosophy—but as a practical strategy for growth. In an era where funding is uncertain and the costs of pursuing patents are often […]

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In a recent op-ed published by Canadian SME Magazine, Conscience’s Chief Policy and Partnerships Officer Richard Gold makes the case for why Canadian science-based SMEs should consider open science not just as a philosophy—but as a practical strategy for growth. In an era where funding is uncertain and the costs of pursuing patents are often prohibitive, Gold argues that open science offers a viable and cost-effective alternative, particularly for early-stage companies and those developing treatments for underserved conditions.

The piece features several organizations, including Conscience, that are helping to redefine what sustainable, collaborative innovation can look like in life sciences. It highlights how our programs provide Canadian SMEs with financial and technical support to pursue drug discovery efforts without relying on patents.

Read the full article »

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Conscience sparks dialogue on open science at the Fonds de solidarité FTQ Life Sciences Symposium https://conscience.ca/news/conscience-sparks-dialogue-on-open-science-at-the-fonds-de-solidarite-ftq-life-sciences-symposium/ Thu, 01 May 2025 15:06:00 +0000 https://conscience.ca/?p=4209 A few weeks ago, Conscience’s Chief Science Officer Aled Edwards and board member Florence Rozen—who also serves as Scientific Director of Investments at the Fonds de solidarité FTQ—participated in a standout panel on open science at the Fonds’ invitation-only Life Sciences Symposium in Montréal. The event marked the Fonds’ 35-year commitment to innovation in Québec’s […]

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A few weeks ago, Conscience’s Chief Science Officer Aled Edwards and board member Florence Rozen—who also serves as Scientific Director of Investments at the Fonds de solidarité FTQ—participated in a standout panel on open science at the Fonds’ invitation-only Life Sciences Symposium in Montréal. The event marked the Fonds’ 35-year commitment to innovation in Québec’s life sciences ecosystem, with nearly 120 leading figures from biotech, venture capital, academia, and government in attendance.

The panel was moderated by Rozen and featured Edwards alongside Clarissa Desjardins (CEO, Congruence) and Maha Katabi (General Partner, Sofinnova Investments), sparking lively debate on the role of open science in drug development. While some panelists expressed skepticism toward fully open approaches, the exchange gave the audience fresh insight into a model that is still unfamiliar to many in the Canadian life sciences space. The panel drew strong feedback from attendees, many of whom said the subject matter was new and eye-opening. It marked an important moment for introducing Conscience and the case for open science into broader conversations in the Canadian life sciences community.

With over $2 billion invested to date, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ is the largest institutional life sciences investor in Québec and Canada. The Symposium provided an opportunity to take stock of the industry’s progress, discuss its current challenges, and explore paths forward. We’re proud that Conscience was able to contribute meaningfully to those conversations—and help put open science more firmly on the map.

Photo by Yohann Piché-Nguyen and Jean-Sébastien Cossette

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Reflecting on the Conscience Symposium on Open Drug Discovery https://conscience.ca/news/reflecting-on-the-conscience-symposium-on-open-drug-discovery/ Thu, 24 Apr 2025 16:11:54 +0000 https://conscience.ca/?p=3811 The 2025 Conscience Symposium on Open Drug Discovery took place in Montreal on April 7 and 8, 2025, at the Society for Arts and Technology—and we’re proud to share that it was a great success! 126 valued members of our community from across academia, industry, and non-profit sectors, gathered for two dynamic days of panels, […]

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The 2025 Conscience Symposium on Open Drug Discovery took place in Montreal on April 7 and 8, 2025, at the Society for Arts and Technology—and we’re proud to share that it was a great success!

126 valued members of our community from across academia, industry, and non-profit sectors, gathered for two dynamic days of panels, workshops, and discussions showcasing how open science is already driving the discovery of new medicines. The program was carefully designed to reflect Conscience’s mission: to support teamwork, the open sharing of knowledge and tools, the use and improvement of artificial intelligence, and the development of policies that help break down barriers in traditional drug development.

Following an engaging opening keynote by renowned scientist and author Derek Lowe, we were proud to spotlight the work of our program participants, including CACHE Challenge teams and grantees of our Developing Medicines through Open Science program, as well as members of our broader network whose efforts align with our shared goals. The flash talk session showcased the diverse range of projects our community members are working on and created space for presenters to connect with potential collaborators during the discussions that followed.

The presence of patient advocates and organizations, as well as an inspiring collection of art from the Rare Artist program by the EveryLife Foundation, reminded us all why we do this work: to ensure that no one is left behind. The session led by Linda Lafontaine and Jason Karamchandani, which focused on how patients can be a driving force in enabling and accelerating research, was especially well received.

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Many highlighted the variety and quality of topics—from machine learning and intellectual property to benchmarking and patient engagement—as well as the wide range of expertise and backgrounds of the audience. Attendees appreciated the event’s diverse program, excellent time management, and the opportunity for active participation and rich discussion. The strategic networking and discussion sessions in the Café space reflected the energy and enthusiasm of our community, drawing strong participation and sparking meaningful conversations throughout the event. 

Perhaps most powerfully, several attendees shared that the Symposium changed their perspective on open science: “I didn’t believe open could work. Now I see that it can.” Many others noted that they made meaningful connections they never would have made without Conscience—a testament to the value of bringing people together around a shared vision and the high caliber of the audience.

To our generous sponsors, inspiring speakers, dedicated staff, and all who participated—Thank You! Your enthusiasm, ideas, and commitment made this event a resounding success. As our board chair, Anke Mueller-Fahrnow put it, we were truly “inspired by the energy present in the room”. We look forward to welcoming you back at our next event!

Click here to access the recordings of the sessions, which are available on our YouTube channel for anyone to watch. You can also browse the speakers’ slides through Zenodo.

Photos are licensed CC BY 4.0 and were taken by Tiah Coxon/Cine-Cast for Conscience.

This event was made possible by our sponsors: Enamine, Astrazeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, UCB, Molecular Forecaster, Acceleration Consortium, and Valence Labs.

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AI drug development’s data problem https://conscience.ca/news/ai-drug-developments-data-problem/ Tue, 15 Apr 2025 13:00:22 +0000 https://conscience.ca/?p=3771 Richard Gold, Conscience’s Chief Policy and Partnerships Officer, has co-authored an editorial in Science with Robert Cook-Deegan calling for global coordination and public investment in high-quality, open datasets to enable AI-driven drug discovery. Drawing lessons from past successes like the Protein Data Bank and the Human Genome Project, the authors argue that the future of […]

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Richard Gold, Conscience’s Chief Policy and Partnerships Officer, has co-authored an editorial in Science with Robert Cook-Deegan calling for global coordination and public investment in high-quality, open datasets to enable AI-driven drug discovery. Drawing lessons from past successes like the Protein Data Bank and the Human Genome Project, the authors argue that the future of AI in medicine depends on open, standardized data managed by trusted, independent organizations. Without this foundation, the promise of AI to reduce drug development costs and address urgent health needs—especially in data-scarce areas—will remain out of reach.

Read this article in Science »

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Expansion of the CACHE Governing Board https://conscience.ca/news/expansion-of-the-cache-governing-board/ Wed, 02 Apr 2025 14:00:00 +0000 https://conscience.ca/?p=3752 We are proud to announce the expansion of the CACHE Governing Board, which now includes representatives from four pharmaceutical companies; UCB, AstraZeneca, Bayer, and Boehringer Ingelheim. The Governing Board’s role is to actively lead and provide direction for the CACHE challenges, as well as nominate members for its independent expert panels for target selection, application […]

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We are proud to announce the expansion of the CACHE Governing Board, which now includes representatives from four pharmaceutical companies; UCB, AstraZeneca, Bayer, and Boehringer Ingelheim. The Governing Board’s role is to actively lead and provide direction for the CACHE challenges, as well as nominate members for its independent expert panels for target selection, application review and hit evaluation.

For more information, contact:
Estrid Jakobsen at estrid.jakobsen@conscience.ca 
Julia Smith at julia@finchmedia.net 

Conscience Expands CACHE Governing Board

Leading industry representatives collaborate to provide guidance on computational small molecule hit-finding, which is critical in drug discovery 

Toronto, ON, Canada, April 2, 2025 Conscience, a non-profit that uses open science and true collaboration to enable drug discovery and development where market solutions are limited, is pleased to share its CACHE (Critical Assessment of Computational Hit-finding Experiments) Governing Board now includes four industry members. Yogesh Sabnis, Director of Lead Design from UCB, has been appointed to the Board, following the appointment of Anders Hogner, Senior Director AI Science at AstraZeneca, in November. Sabnis and Hogner join Judith Günther, Senior Principal Scientist within Bayer’s Structural Biology and Computational Design Team, and Yvonne Westermaier, Principal Scientist II in Computational Chemistry at Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), both of whom have renewed their commitment to the CACHE Governing Board for two-year terms. Westermaier is taking the place of Uta Lessel, who is stepping down from the CACHE Board and is a Principal Scientist at BI.

The Governing Board’s role is to actively lead and provide direction for the CACHE challenges, as well as nominate members for its independent expert panels for target selection, application review and hit evaluation.

“We are thrilled to welcome Yogesh Sabnis to the CACHE Governing Board to work alongside Anders Hogner, Judith Günther, and Yvonne Westermaier to provide strategic guidance and ensure that CACHE continues to define the state-of-the-art in computational hit finding. We would also like to thank Uta Lessel for her contributions in shaping this competition,” said Matthieu Schapira, CACHE’s Scientific Coordinator, Principal Investigator at the Structural Genomics Consortium and Professor at University of Toronto. “Having representatives with deep domain expertise from Bayer, UCB, AstraZeneca, and BI at the table is important to help us guide the community towards a technological breakthrough in computational drug discovery.”

CACHE Challenges are open competitions to encourage and accelerate early-stage drug discovery, improving AI methods and digital tools that facilitate and support the process. All findings and benchmarks are shared publicly, without patents, to create opportunities for life-changing impacts and maximize the benefits of open sharing and collaboration among industry, SMEs, and academia. In its first competition, the CACHE Challenge succeeded in recognizing that AI techniques offer promise in identifying hits. The second CACHE Challenge focused on identifying molecules that would bind to a highly conserved site on a SARS-CoV-2 protein, which, if successfully developed into a drug, could be used to treat all coronaviruses. In the third CACHE Challenge, researchers from across the globe used computational methods to predict molecules to bind on a potential target to develop medicines against another round of COVID, SARS-CoV-2. Four molecules were identified that were chemically novel and showed promise as starting points for drug development. The dataset generated from each competition, including the promising new molecules, is now available publicly on the CACHE Challenges website for researchers anywhere to develop further without patent or restriction.

About Conscience

Conscience is a non-profit focused on enabling drug discovery and development in areas where open sharing and collaboration are key to advancement and where market solutions are limited, such as rare or infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. It does so by encouraging teamwork, the open sharing of knowledge and tools, the use of artificial intelligence, and the development of policies that break down barriers of traditional drug development  models. Powered by a network that includes academics, industry, technologists, policy experts, and public support, Conscience seeks to drive innovation by turning drug discovery and development into a team sport. Through key initiatives, such as its DMOS (Developing Medicines through Open Science) program and CACHE (Critical Assessment of Computation Hit-finding Experiments) Challenges, Conscience is accelerating the path to treatments for those who need them most so no patient is left behind. For more information, visit www.conscience.ca.

About the CACHE Challenges

The CACHE (Critical Assessment of Computation Hit-finding Experiments) Challenges offer an open competition platform to help accelerate one of the early stages of drug discovery. Researchers from academia, industry, and nonprofits are invited to deploy their best computational methods to predict small molecules that will bind to a predefined target linked to a specific disease, a critical step in the drug discovery pipeline known as hit-finding. Their predictions are evaluated and benchmarked in a state-of-the-art laboratory, by our partners at the Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC). All the benchmarked results are shared openly and publicly with the world, and all chemical structures are made available without patent to all. Visit conscience.ca/cache-challenge/

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As U.S. tariffs loom, Canada should use AI to fight back https://conscience.ca/news/as-u-s-tariffs-loom-canada-should-use-ai-to-fight-back/ Wed, 12 Mar 2025 18:57:24 +0000 https://conscience.ca/?p=3720 Our Chief Policy and Partnerships Officer, Richard Gold, argues that Canada has a unique opportunity to become a global leader in AI-assisted drug discovery by leveraging its strong scientific expertise and biomedical data infrastructure. To reduce reliance on the U.S., Canada must invest in large, open datasets, streamline regulations, and foster collaboration between government, academia, and […]

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Our Chief Policy and Partnerships Officer, Richard Gold, argues that Canada has a unique opportunity to become a global leader in AI-assisted drug discovery by leveraging its strong scientific expertise and biomedical data infrastructure. To reduce reliance on the U.S., Canada must invest in large, open datasets, streamline regulations, and foster collaboration between government, academia, and industry—positioning itself as a key hub for innovation in drug development.

Read this article in The National Observer »

Richard also recently appeared on TVO and on CBC’s The Current, sharing his expertise on similar topics. Follow the links below to watch and listen to the interviews.

Watch on TVO: Could American’s Brain Drain Be Canada’s Brain Gain? »

Listen on CBC’s The Current with Matt Galloway »

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DMOS program funds three projects working towards treatments for rare diseases https://conscience.ca/news/dmos-program-funds-three-projects-working-towards-treatments-for-rare-diseases/ Thu, 27 Feb 2025 15:17:17 +0000 https://conscience.ca/?p=3685 We are proud to announce the first three recipients of funding via our Developing Medicines through Open Science program. These grantees are working towards treatments and cures for three rare diseases: a genetic neuromuscular disorder, a pediatric brain cancer, and a liver disease. Access this press release on Business Wire For more information, contact:Estrid Jakobsen […]

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We are proud to announce the first three recipients of funding via our Developing Medicines through Open Science program. These grantees are working towards treatments and cures for three rare diseases: a genetic neuromuscular disorder, a pediatric brain cancer, and a liver disease.

Access this press release on Business Wire

For more information, contact:
Estrid Jakobsen at estrid.jakobsen@conscience.ca 
Julia Smith at julia@finchmedia.net 

Conscience Announces Recipients of Inaugural Program to Foster Collaborative Drug Discovery and Development 

The Developing Medicines through Open Science program supports preclinical drug development in areas of pharmaceutical market failure

Program announcement leads into Rare Disease Day on February 28

Toronto, ON, Canada, February 27, 2025 Conscience, a non-profit focused on accelerating drug discovery in areas of unmet medical need using open science and radical collaboration, is pleased to announce three recipients and projects have been approved for its Developing Medicines through Open Science (DMOS) program. The DMOS program is designed to foster collaborative drug discovery and development in areas often overlooked by the pharmaceutical industry, such as rare and orphan diseases and antimicrobial resistance. The inaugural round of this program is offering a total of $5M in funding and partnership opportunities to support significant advancements toward drug candidates. 

Rare Disease Day is recognized on the last day of February to increase awareness for rare diseases and improve access to treatment for those living with rare diseases and their families. The DMOS program grantees are working towards treatments and cures for three rare diseases: a genetic neuromuscular disorder, a pediatric brain cancer, and a liver disease.

“The DMOS program is underscored by our vision of a world where more drug therapies are developed, and these treatments are both accessible and affordable,” says Anne Fortier, Vice President (VP), Drug Discovery at Conscience. “We believe collaboration is the solution and proudly support projects that undertake preclinical research to establish proof-of-concept for an open science approach towards treatments and cures for life-threatening or severely debilitating diseases in areas of market failure. We can’t wait to work with and learn from each of the projects currently in our program.”

Additional Quotes

“Rare Disease Day offers a reminder that while rare diseases affect a limited number of people, their effects are devastating to those impacted and their loved ones. That is why our government supports Conscience’s expertise through the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) to tackle rare diseases to improve access to care and treatments for Canadians. This contribution will help develop drug discovery through open science, and I look forward to the results of these projects.”
François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

“We are grateful for how the Conscience grant is supporting Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) research. PSC is a rare and devastating liver disease with no treatments or cure. This grant enables us to build on work that maps PSC liver cells for pursuing preclinical drug development. With an unwavering commitment to a cure, we believe in the power of an open science approach. We envision a world where a PSC diagnosis comes with a safe and effective treatment, and Conscience’s Developing Medicines through Open Science program takes us one step closer”
Mary Vyas, President, PSC Partners Seeking a Cure Canada

DMOS Project Details

The following projects listed below were selected in this round. Although submissions for the inaugural round are now closed, DMOS may accept proposals on a rolling basis. For applicants interested in submitting a proposal that adheres to the program’s scope and eligibility criteria, please visit the website to learn more.

Project 1
Focus: Small Molecule PRMT6 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy Description: Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA) or Kennedy’s disease, is a rare, inherited neuromuscular disorder that leads to progressive muscle degeneration, weakness, and twitching. It affects approximately one in 100,000 individuals worldwide, with a significantly higher prevalence in Canada’s Indigenous populations, particularly in Alberta and Saskatchewan, due to genetic factors. There are no approved treatments for SBMA.RecipientsSME: Agora Open Science Trust Representative – Dr. Peter Sampson, VP of Drug Discovery and Development
Principal Investigator: Dr. Rachel Harding, Assistant Professor at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy and Principal Investigator at the Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto
Co-investigator:  Dr. Mark Reed, Scientist at the Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network
Scientific Approach: The project focuses on developing a novel therapeutic approach targeting PRMT6, a co-activator of the Androgen Receptor (AR) implicated in SBMA progression. Building on a novel and highly potent lead compound, they will undertake a highly collaborative, drug discovery approach with a team of experts in computer and AI-driven drug design, chemistry and molecular biology to create a drug for the treatment of SBMA.
Conscience Funding: $386,220 CAN
Term: 2 years
Project 2
Focus: Pre-Clinical Development of an ALK2 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma 
Description: Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a rare, inoperable and fatal pediatric brain cancer, with most children surviving only nine to twelve months after diagnosis. Radiation therapy is the only current treatment option offering only temporary relief. New treatment options are challenging as many drugs fail to reach the tumour due to the brain’s protective barrier.
RecipientsSME: M4K Pharma Inc (owned by Agora Open Science Trust) Representative and Principal Investigator – Dr. Peter Sampson, VP of Drug Discovery and Development
Co-investigators:  Dr. David Uehling, Director, Medicinal Chemistry, Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR)Dr. Neil Vasdev, Scientific Director and Chief Radiochemist of the Brain Health Imaging Centre and Director of the Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Scientific Approach: Around 30 per cent of DIPG tumors have mutations in a protein called ALK2. Research has shown that blocking the activity of ALK2 impacts DIPG cell growth, making ALK2 a promising target for drug development. The team has demonstrated that their potent, selective ALK2 inhibitors are brain penetrant, slow DIPG cancer cell growth, and extend the survival of mice with DIPG.
Conscience Funding: $1,599,329 CAN
Term: 2 years
Project 3
Focus: Open Drug Discovery to Treat Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Description: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) is a rare liver disease with no approved treatments and a significant unmet medical need. The limited patient population makes investment in drug development for PSC challenging. This project seeks to address this by taking a collaborative open science approach to advance new  treatments for this rare disease, which currently has only a limited number of active pharmaceutical programs. 
Recipients: SME: Agora Open Science TrustRepresentative: Dr. Peter Sampson, VP of Drug Discovery and Development
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sonya MacParland, Senior Scientist in the Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network
Co-Investigators: Dr. Ian McGilvray, Professor of Surgery, University Health Network Dr. Gary Bader, Professor, University of Toronto 
Scientific Approach: The investigators have developed the first transcriptomic map of the PSC liver, providing an unprecedented view of the disease mechanisms at the cellular level. This work has enabled the identification of known targets and their corresponding drugs, highlighting SYK inhibition as an avenue to target immune-mediated fibrotic pathways within the PSC liver. This project will test the ability of SYK inhibitors to modulate fibrogenic processes in human explanted PSC tissue in comparison to healthy human liver. 
Conscience Funding: $461,241 CAN
Term: 2 years


DMOS offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of drug discovery and development through open science. In 2024, proposals were submitted to Conscience for consideration, each requiring a comprehensive preclinical research plan targeting an area of pharmaceutical market failure, with research conducted at Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 2-6. Additionally, each proposal needed to involve at least one Canadian SME,  commit to Conscience’s Open Science Policy, and provide proof of matching funds to cover the remaining cost, as Conscience currently funds a maximum of 33 per cent to academics and 50 per cent to SMEs.

About Conscience

Conscience is a nonprofit biotech focused on transforming the drug development landscape by enabling the discovery of potential treatments for diseases that have received limited attention from the pharmaceutical industry. Conscience seeks to use collaborative approaches, open science, and artificial intelligence to break down barriers of profit-driven models. Powered by a network that includes academics, industry, technologists, policy experts, and public support, Conscience aims to drive innovation in drug discovery and development, and treatment accessibility. Through key initiatives, such as its DMOS (Developing Medicines through Open Science) program and CACHE (Critical Assessment of Computation Hit-finding Experiments) Challenges, Conscience is accelerating the path to treatments for those who need them most to ensure no one is left behind. For more information, visit www.conscience.ca.

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In Vivo features Conscience among leading nonprofits addressing biopharma market failures https://conscience.ca/news/in-vivo-features-conscience-among-leading-nonprofits-addressing-biopharma-market-failures/ Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:49:39 +0000 https://conscience.ca/?p=3666 In Search Of Rare Disease Treatments, Nonprofits Can Lead the Charge Read the full article in In Vivo  »

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In Search Of Rare Disease Treatments, Nonprofits Can Lead the Charge

Read the full article in In Vivo  »

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Canada Can Confront US Tariffs by Liberating Innovators https://conscience.ca/news/canada-can-confront-us-tariffs-by-liberating-innovators/ Tue, 04 Feb 2025 19:02:22 +0000 https://conscience.ca/?p=3527 Our Chief Policy and Partnerships Officer, Richard Gold, argues that if Trump goes ahead with his tariffs, Canada should use intellectual property as a weapon against the threat to national economic security – a bold step that would allow Canada to exploit its wealth of academic knowledge to produce lower-cost medicines and ramp up AI-assisted […]

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Our Chief Policy and Partnerships Officer, Richard Gold, argues that if Trump goes ahead with his tariffs, Canada should use intellectual property as a weapon against the threat to national economic security – a bold step that would allow Canada to exploit its wealth of academic knowledge to produce lower-cost medicines and ramp up AI-assisted drug discovery.

This piece first appeared in The Globe and Mail and is also available for free on the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) website – read it here.

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